EDSA rehab, odd-even scheme moved to 2026 — DPWH

The EDSA rehabilitation and implementation of the odd-even scheme will push through in 2026, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Thursday.

According to Joseph Morong’s exclusive report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, the DPWH said the EDSA rehabilitation will begin next year as it is already the rainy season in the country, which will be followed by the Christmas rush during the "Ber" months.

“If we have the space early next year, then we can start. Some of the sections na hindi most traveled (that is not most traveled), and that will not affect substantially the traffic movement,” DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said.

He added the DPWH is also looking into a more efficient and affordable technology to rehabilitate the 23.8-kilometer stretch of the historic highway that is considered Metro Manila’s major thoroughfare.

In the original plan, EDSA would be reconstructed lane-by-lane, with each being replaced by a new road.

The whole project would cost from P8 to 17 billion.

However, DPWH is studying the “time and motion” process where a layer would be placed above the surface of EDSA.

“It looks promising. We are not going to scarify it anymore. We’ll just put it on top but we have to stabilize it properly. Tataas ng konti yung EDSA. hindi naman gaano mataas (EDSA will be raised a bit),” Bonoan said.

He added the roadwork would be done at night, but the odd-even scheme must still be implemented to lessen the volume of vehicles.

The DPWH will submit its recommendation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. once it finalizes the technology that will be used for the EDSA rehabilitation.

More buses, trains in EDSA

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it will continue its plans to add more buses to the EDSA busway.

It is also studying if the operation hours of MRT-3 can start earlier and if the 24 new Dalian trains can be utilized since it was not used since it did not match the MRT system.

“Sa checklist nila ng Sumitomo, there are only two or three out of ten left. For the 8 trains, kung ma-clear yun, then we can start using these trains,” DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said. 

(In Sumitomo's checklist, there are only two or three out of ten left. For the 8 trains, if it is cleared, then we can start using these trains.) —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News